Technical Lead, Inland Marine

You are Shepherd's primary technical underwriting resource for Inland Marine. You own the guidelines and advisories underwriters work from, lead coverage form development, and review risks that exceed their authority. You also work with our capacity partners to resolve technical questions and support the underwriting team. Reporting to the Head of Property, you help underwriters make sound decisions and document them clearly. Your work includes account review, training, and using portfolio results and Claims feedback to improve how we underwrite.

Responsibilities

Act as Shepherd's primary technical underwriting resource for Inland Marine; Own the guidelines and advisories underwriters work from; Lead coverage form development; Review risks that exceed underwriter authority; Review Inland Marine referrals involving TIV thresholds, catastrophe exposures such as wildfire and flood, structural or occupancy complexity, and other guideline triggers; Approve or decline referred risks within delegated authority and document the rationale, terms, conditions, and pricing guidance; Escalate decisions requiring approval from the Head of Property or a capacity partner; Review bound accounts before issuance; Maintain a 24-hour turnaround standard on referrals; Own development, maintenance, and communication of Inland Marine underwriting guidelines and technical advisories; Oversee Inland Marine file audits with Compliance and other technical leads; Maintain individual underwriting authority statements; Partner with Claims to incorporate loss trends into guidelines, forms, advisories, and training; Review portfolio trends with Actuarial, Data, and Claims; Act as technical liaison between Inland Marine underwriters and capacity partners; Support the Head of Property with underwriting analyses and carrier and reinsurance materials; Develop and deliver Inland Marine onboarding, technical training, and certification assessments; Coach underwriters on file handling, referral quality, and documentation; Lead technical development and revision of Inland Marine coverage forms and endorsements; Maintain with Compliance the approved forms library; Work with Product, Engineering, and Data Science to build underwriting requirements into the platform

Requirements

10+ years of Builders Risk, Inland Marine, or commercial construction underwriting experience, with meaningful authority on complex project-specific, Master Builders Risk, 100%, and quota share placements; Experience reviewing other underwriters' decisions as a referral point, technical authority, or underwriting manager; Strong command of Builders Risk forms, testing and mechanical breakdown, delay in completion, LEG3 / Cost of Making Good, structural work, waiting periods, periods of indemnity, Named Insured and Additional Insured distinctions, and how endorsements amend coverage; Experience developing or maintaining underwriting guidelines, advisories, authority statements, and audit programs; Experience drafting or revising coverage forms and endorsements and explaining technical requirements through training

Nice to have

Knowledge of technology platforms, jobsite sensors, or other tools used to reduce losses from common Inland Marine perils; Experience with insurtech or MGA platforms; Interest in helping build underwriting tools

Benefits

Premium healthcare with 100% contribution to health, dental, and vision; Fertility benefits and family building support; Flexible PTO; Daily lunches, dinners, and snacks; Professional development including premium coaching and leadership development; Competitive 401(k) plan; Dog-friendly office